Ministers have departed the weekly Cabinet meeting in Downing Street amid growing pressure to return the money given by a major Tory donor who has become embroiled in a race row.
Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has spoken out about the Tory donor racism row, describing the media's "relentless focus" on the controversy as "trivial." Frank Hester, one of the Conservative Party's top donors, allegedly said left-wing MP Diane Abbott "should be shot" at a private meeting in 2019. "I think this belief that we should not be able to move on and accept when someone has made an apology for historical comments and treat them as if they are contemporary is a problem," she added.
Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth urges Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to "grow a backbone" and pay back the £10 million donated by Frank Hester after the businessman reportedly made racist comments about black MP Diane Abbott. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Transport Secretary Mark Harper declines to say whether Frank Hester has donated an extra five million pounds to the Conservative Party, refusing to comment on "hypothetical" questions. Mr Hester allegedly said in 2019 that Diane Abbott, Britain's longest-serving black MP, made him "want to hate all black women" and that she "should be shot". Reports emerged this week that Mr Hester may have offered £5 million more, which has not yet been published by the Electoral Commission. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
A group of voters in Diane Abbott's constituency of Hackney North and Stoke Newington appear to agree she should have the Labour whip reinstated. Abbott was suspended from the party after she wrote a letter that said Jewish people experience prejudice, not racism. But since then, Conservative Party donor Frank Hester allegedly aimed racist and misogynist remarks towards the independent MP, which has sparked a debate about whether she should be welcomed back into the Labour party in a show of solidarity. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt says the Conservative Party "fully complies with all the requirements to be transparent about donations", as reports claim Frank Hester made a further £5m donation to the party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had already faced pressure to return Frank Hester's £10m donation after he made alleged racist and misogynistic remarks about Diane Abbott. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth has warned not to write of the Conservative Party in the general election - despite its losses in the local elections. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Rishi Sunak experienced a significant by-election setback and faces further pain in council contests across England. Labour's Chris Webb secured victory in the parliamentary seat of Blackpool South, marking a noteworthy swing of 26.33% from the Tories. This victory for Sir Keir Starmer's party was accompanied by successful council wins in areas poised to be critical battlegrounds in upcoming general election.
Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Rishi Sunak experienced a significant by-election setback and faces further pain in council contests across England. Labour's Chris Webb secured victory in the parliamentary seat of Blackpool South, marking a noteworthy swing of 26.33% from the Tories. This victory for Sir Keir Starmer's party was accompanied by successful council wins in areas poised to be critical battlegrounds in upcoming general election. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has renewed his demand for Rishi Sunak to go to the polls after the prime minister suffered a by-election drubbing and bruising.. Sky News
Labour Chair Anneliese Dodds has defended the decision to welcome Natalie Elphicke to the party while Diane Abbott remains suspended.
However, she refused to comment on why the complaint process against Ms Abbott had taken more than a year. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Jeremy Corbyn joined the rally in support of Diane Abbott. Former Labour leader called the abuse that Abbott receives 'abominable, almost unbelievable'. Diane Abbott thanked residents of Hackney for 'decades of support' and urged them to ''make sure generations of young black people don't have to suffer the racism that we had to suffer''. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Government ministers arrive in Downing Street for the first Cabinet meeting since the Conservative Party suffered significant losses in last week’s local and mayoral elections. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on May 5 that his government had unanimously voted to close down the local offices of Al Jazeera, a broadcaster owned by Qatar. Netanyahu announced the decision on X, formerly known as Twitter, but specifics regarding the implications, timing, and permanence of the closure remained unclear. This move marks an escalation in Israel's longstanding dispute with Al Jazeera and raises tensions with Qatar, particularly significant as Qatar is actively involved in mediating efforts to end the conflict in Gaza. Israel's contentious relationship with Al Jazeera stems from accusations of bias against the network.
#AlJazeeraBan #IsraelDecision #NetanyahuCabinet #MediaBan #PressFreedom #IsraeliPolitics #AlJazeeraShutdown #FreedomOfPress #GlobalMedia #Censorship
~PR.152~ED.103~GR.124~HT.96~
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has told his Cabinet ministers the government's Rwanda Bill marks 'landmark legislation', adding it was now time to get deportation flights off the ground as soon as possible. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Ministers avoid questions from the press as they leave from Number 10, following prime minister Rishi Sunak's Cabinet meeting. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Ministers avoid questions from the press as they arrive at Number 10, ahead of prime minister Rishi Sunak's Cabinet meeting. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The mother of one of the Manchester Arena bombing victims will begin a 200-mile walk from the spot her son was killed to Downing Street to demand stronger.. Sky News
Ministers depart Number 10 following a cabinet meeting with prime minister Rishi Sunak.
Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Sir Ed Davey launches the Liberal Democrat’s local election campaign in Hertfordshire, by flipping a giant egg timer to reveal the message "Time's running out Rishi!" Speaking to activists afterwards, the Lib Dem leader said Rishi Sunak “might have bottled the May election, he might be hoping the tide will turn as he squats in Downing Street for a few months more. But even the prime minister can't deny voters across England the chance to cast their vote in the local elections on 2 May.” Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Following the defection of the Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke to Labour, Beth, Ruth and Jess discuss the surprise move and whether it could have been handled.. Sky News
Jess Phillips has revealed that seeing Natalie Elphicke cross the floor to join the Labour Party felt "a bit like being punched in the gut" given the former.. Sky News
Leader of the Commons Penny Mordaunt has compared Sir Keir Starmer to a crab and accused him of running "Operation Radish" in a bid to convince voters that Labour looks “red on the outside”. Ms Mordaunt said of the recent defections from the Tories to Labour: “What it has exposed is a pattern of behaviour from the Leader of the Opposition.” Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
In a dramatic move just moments before Prime Minister's Questions got underway this week, Natalie Elphicke joined Labour as her surprised Conservative colleagues.. Sky News
Rishi Sunak has said he is "encouraged" that the economy has "real momentum", after the latest ONS figures show the UK economy is has grown by 0.6% between January and March. The prime minister added "we are heading in the right direction and people will start to feel that change". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Rishi Sunak has accused Sir Keir Starmer of "rank hypocrisy" over the Labour leader's plan to establish a new Border Security Command to tackle people-smuggling gangs bringing migrants across the Channel. The prime minister says Labour's plan will "offer an amnesty to illegal migrants" and that the government will get its planes to Rwanda off the ground. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators have been gathering in central Malmö ahead of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. They have been protesting against Israel’s participation in this year’s contest in the southern Swedish city. Security is tight ahead of the final on Saturday, with armoured police reinforcements from Denmark and Norway drafted in to help. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
A British man who allegedly plotted the arson attacks on Ukrainian-linked businesses in London for the Wagner Group is set to face trial next year. Dylan Earl is the first to be charged under the new National Security Act 2023. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Christopher Berry, 32, and Christopher Cash, 29, have appeared at the Old Bailey accused of providing prejudicial information to China. They have been told they will face trial next year. Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The US cautiously responds to allegations of India's involvement in killings in Pakistan, refraining from direct intervention but urging dialogue to prevent escalation. The Guardian's report cited India's RAW orchestrating assassinations, drawing criticism and strong rebuttals from Indian officials. Pakistan condemned Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's remarks as provocative, emphasizing its commitment to regional peace amidst escalating tensions between the two nations.
#Pakistan #India #MatthewMiller #JoeBiden #RAW #RajnathSingh #PMModi #Pakistanterrorists #Usnews #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
~PR.152~ED.155~GR.125~HT.96~
Energy minister Graham Stuart says the Tory donor at the centre of a new race row has ‘rightly apologised’ for remarks allegedly made about the former Labour MP Diane Abbott. Conservative Party donor Frank Hester is reported to have said Ms Abbott ‘should be shot’ at a meeting in 2019 – according to an investigation by The Guardian newspaper. But Mr Stuart has warned against the ‘cancel culture’ and questions whether Mr Hester should be ‘destroyed’ for saying ‘unacceptable things’. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn